Defending against attacks from the jo, bokken or tanto immediately teaches us the necessity to move off the line of attack, which is one of the most basic principles in Aikido whether dealing with single or multiple attacks.

The Harmony of Principles – Riai; a term literally meaning “the blending of truths” is the common denominator relating to the mutual principles of the movements in Aikido weapons and empty handed techniques. This is the harmonisation of the principles found in Aiki Ken, Aiki Jo and Tai Jitsu. Therefore, empty handed and weapon techniques are linked in Aikido through the concept of riai.

Aikido weapons provide a very interesting form of training and some of the kata and suburi have the added advantage of providing opportunity to practice without the necessity of a training partner.

We utilise various methods of weapons practice including

Jo:

Jo Suburi (solo exercises of jo techniques)

Jo Kata (solo exercises in a set sequence of jo techniques)

Jo Awase (partnered exercises of set jo attack and defence)

Kumi Jo (partnered exercises of set jo attack and defence)

Jo Dori (staff-taking: partnered defences from attacks with a jo)

Bokken:

Ken Suburi (solo exercises of bokken cuts)

Ken Awase (partnered exercises of set bokken attack and defence)

Kumi Tachi (partnered exercises of set bokken attack and defence)

Ken Dori (sword-taking: partnered defences from attacks with a bokken)

Tanto:

Tanto Dori (knife-taking: partnered defences from attacks with a tanto)